Last year one prominent games maker stated his belief that gaming was on the decline in Japan, and today we perhaps see early evidence of this - confirming that it will close one-fifth of its arcade centres - 50 or 60 outlets.

"A lot of the types of games that people played at an arcade can now be done at home," a spokesman revealed, explaining the closures.

Games like Fit appear to be shouldering the blame for the closures, Reuters noting that the Wii in particular is shifting perceptions, with gamers choosing to save their money for new console games, rather than playing in arcades.

The general down-turn in the global economy also appears to be hitting expenditure, with less game centre trips on the cards.

More soon.

By Luke Guttridge